RIGGS HOUSE,
WASHINGTON, D. C.
C. W. SPOFFORD, Proprietor.
Oct. 21,  1882.
Dear Taylor:
Yesterday, with Burdette of The
Hawkeye, I went over into Camden
N. J. and saw Walt Whitman.  I returned
the night before in Philadelphia, and
Burdette came from a like appointment in
Harrisburg, and we swooped jointly on
the "Good Gray." - And he is a good
old man surely!  He seems very old. A
year ago we tried to see him, but
failed. - that was my first appearance
in Phil., introduced by Burdette, whose
appearances, by-the-bye, I have never
ceased to think was the occasion of
the great reception I had.
Anyway, my dear friend, I think of
you this minute - and every other gracious
one that ever comes to me.  I owe
you so much!  Always, when you begin
to think that I remember nothing, remember
that I remember everything.  There are no





words to express even to you my mood
to-night - but you don't need words, and
so its all plausable and most
eloquent wind among the leaves,
"Aint it, Pip?"
We only get glimpses of things we love.
So you have been taken from me.  - So,
too, I try to think you will say "Riley
has been denied me!"  May be you wont
say it literally, but when you get this,
I wish you'd "thirst tend like it," anyhow!
This season is to be a busy one with
me - or so it promises.  I am so hungry,
my dear friend, for my own. (When I am
to see you again I don't know! ...When???
Doc Cooper comes still to Indpl's once-in-
a-while.  Aint he a "full-grown cherub?"
I love him and I love you and I cant
marry you both, of course!
There are signs of my literary growth all
the time.  Am I to succeed really?  Echo an-
swers, - (                        )
The tribute you wrote me - no man ever paid
another a more better, or pathetic in ?
Always,
J. W. Riley





Biggs House,
WASHINGTON, D. C.
C. W. SPOFFORD, PROPRIETOR.
[postmark]  WASHINGTON, D. C. OCT 22  1882
Rev. H. S. Taylor,
Dayton,
Ky.





DAYTON KY OCT 24